City Council Defers Parcel Tax Vote

City Council decided unanimously Monday to push off the vote on the municipal services tax at least until June, taking the advice of the Municipal Tax Review Committee to delay so that the city has more time to act on some of its before Piedmonters go to the polls.

"I think that many of the recommendations that have come out of the committee have been very well thought through," said Councilwoman Margaret Fujioka. "I think that the council really owes a responsibility, not only to the committee, but to the public to take them very seriously."

Piedmont resident George Childs noted Monday that the draft of the parcel tax measure does yet not include provisions to establish a standing finance planning committee, which is among the reforms suggested by the tax committee.

Tax committee member Tamra Hege countered that that particular move would not necessarily have to be enacted through the tax measure, but that the committee would simply be "delighted if the council does make some movement on some of the issues that we've brought to your attention." Hege is one of the four members of the nine-member committee who said they until they see such action. 

Tim Rood, who is in the February election, argued that the committee's recommendations for an independent assessment of city employee benefits obligations and improved oversight of large capital projects could also be acted on right away.

The city's first progress report will essentially be due by March when the tax measure will have to have its first reading in order to be placed on the June ballot. The council could opt then to postpone the vote further until November. 

"Please come forward with what you'd like to see your city government do," said Councilman Garrett Keating. "We have to make some choices between now and June."